Robert Glenn Falls, age 95, passed away at Community Hospital on Friday, November 10, 2017 after a short illness. Glenn, as he preferred to be called, was born in Lubbock, Texas, on December 9, 1921, one of seven children born to Cecil and Mamie Falls. He grew up in Denver, Colorado, helping his father and mother operate a small grocery store. A studious person even at an early age, he began his collegiate experience at the University of Denver. The coming of WWII interrupted his studies as he was drafted into the US Army. He was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in 1945.
Glenn married Ruth Wagner on April 5, 1942. To this union, two daughters were born: Carolyn Ruth and Barbara Ann. After the war was over he came to Anderson to attend Anderson College (now University), from which he graduated in 1949. He attended Indiana University, earning both MBA and DBA degrees. He also became a Certified Public Accountant. He returned to Anderson to teach accounting at Anderson University where he taught full-time until 1987. During his teaching years, he taught and mentored thousands of students, many of whom remember not only his teaching of accounting but his willingness to spend time talking about life and vocation. He saw his work as a calling of God, a vocation, a ministry.
In addition to his work at Anderson University, Glenn was committed to Park Place Church of God. He sang in the choir for many years, taught Sunday school classes, and served on governance boards, using his financial acumen to guide the church. Glenn had a private practice of accounting, and one of his clients was Bud Contos, founder of Payless Supermarkets. After Bud’s untimely death, Glenn served as president of Payless until Bud’s son, Larry, was able to assume this role. He was also engaged in the life of the city of Anderson, being a member of Rotary Club, being involved with other entrepreneurs in several land development partnerships, and serving on the boards of Anderson Banking Company, Urban League, Christian Center, and Madison County Community Foundation Finance Committee. He was the recipient of numerous civic and university recognitions.
An informed and insightful investor, Glenn made several timely investments, the success of which allowed him to donate generously to his church and to the university to which he gave his life. To honor his contributions, the university named the business department The Falls School of Business in 2001.
After Ruth’s death in 2001, Glenn married Bernice McIntyre Berquist in 2002. They enjoyed life together and celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary earlier this year.
Glenn was a gentle soul who loved his family and friends unconditionally. He was quick to accept and slow to judge. When he saw a person in need, he gave of his resource but did so in a quiet way, never wanting attention to be directed back to himself. He lived by the motto, “I gave with joy and joy was my reward.”
Glenn is survived by his wife Bernice, his daughters Carolyn (Carl) Caldwell and Barbara (Tom) Schelstrate; his grandchildren Chris (Bettie) Caldwell, Craig (Diana) Caldwell, Eric (Karen) Reinhardt, Kurt (LaTonya) Reinhardt, and Emily (Mike) Lenneville; his great grandchildren, Maya, Talia, and Elena Caldwell; Conner and Alec Reinhardt; Rashida Reinhardt; Anna and Paul Lenneville; Marciel (Jonathan) Greene; and great great grandchildren Nixon and Florence Parke. He is also survived by a brother, Oliver Falls, and a sister, Arlis (Don) Asnicar, and several nieces and nephews. Predeceasing Glenn were his parents, his first wife and four of his brothers and sisters.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 12 at Park Place Church of God, with visitation one hour prior to the service in the Bessie Byrum Lounge.
In lieu of flowers, preferred contributions should be made to Anderson University or Park Place Church of God.